"Block 44" Ross Group development across from OneOK Field

[cannon_fodder]

The TDA has approved the development proposal by the Ross Group for the NW Corner of Elgin and Archer (~319 E. Archer).  Ross Group beat out one other proposal for the right to build, actual contract terms are pending negotiations.  The development calls for a three phase project, with phase one officially proposed and presented - including a corner fronted 5 story building, ground floor retail and the rest office.  The report is that 50% of the office occupancy is already spoken for. Ross Group has commented that it could start construction by the end of the year and finish in 2018.  That seems ambitious, but lets hope so!

Future development includes the already announced Holiday Inn and a parking garage behind it (where the workforce building is now?).  It is discussed on p. 56-57 of the proposal.



Solid write up by the Tulsa World:
http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/realestate/tulsa-development-authority-oks-ross-group-s-mixed-used-proposal/article_e772896b-1fa8-5a40-9746-239e279dff7d.html?_dc=899590679017.6793

The actual (and impressive) proposal to the TDA:
http://www.tulsadevelopmentauthority.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Ross-Group-for-TDA-Block-44.pdf

 

[MostSeriousness]

Very nice proposal. Ross Group has consistently done great work, and looks to do more in downtown. Excited for what they have in mind for those 50% tenants this early in the game

[dsjeffries]

Did you notice the drive-thru bank on the southwest corner? (The image incorrectly labeled the alley as Detroit Ave)

Another drive-thru of any kind is the absolute last thing downtown needs. We need fewer interruptions of the sidewalk, fewer driveways to cross, and more mostly transparent, street-facing ground-floor retail and restaurant space.

Other than that, it's a nice proposal. I hope they're successful at burying the overhead power lines!

(By the way, there are some renderings and photos of their other projects, including a new look for the Holiday Inn Express across the street from Block 44.)

[Tulsasaurus Rex]

drive-thru bank on the southwest corner

What a stupid idea

[SXSW]

Definitely nix the drive-thru.  Other than that it looks nice but disappointed it doesn't cover the entire half block.

[Tulsasaurus Rex]

disappointed it doesn't cover the entire half block.

The plans call for a second building on that area in the future. I'm ok with that. From an urbanism perspective, two smaller buildings are better than one bigger one on the same plot. More variety and flexibility.

[Tulsasaurus Rex]

Let's all take a moment and be thankful this is eliminating a parking lot. A gravel damn parking lot.

[Dspike]

"Let's all take a moment and be thankful this is eliminating a parking lot. A gravel damn parking lot."

Amen.

[cannon_fodder]

Did you notice the drive-thru bank on the southwest corner? (The image incorrectly labeled the alley as Detroit Ave)

Another drive-thru of any kind is the absolute last thing downtown needs. We need fewer interruptions of the sidewalk, fewer driveways to cross, and more mostly transparent, street-facing ground-floor retail and restaurant space.

Since there is an alley there anyway, the drive-through isn't adding a curb cut. It might be adding traffic to the alley, but not adding a curb.  Sometimes better utilization of a lot will add vehicle traffic (like the parking at the Vandever building using that alleyway). If allowing a drive-through adds a significant tenant to the building it is a no-brainer for the developer and I'd be hard press to argue why it is a bad decision for them.

I get that an urban environment prefers fewer curb cuts, but on the whole this project seems like a large win.

[SXSW]

This project is slated to break ground April 12.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/realestate/ross-group-president-is-bullish-on-downtown/article_9bc59b81-6660-5f3f-ae3a-8dd38e97d575.html

[AdamsHall]

This project is slated to break ground April 12.

It appears The View will also be breaking ground along with a parking garage within 60 days.

[swake]

That will make for a lot of construction on the north side of downtown.

[SXSW]

It appears The View will also be breaking ground along with a parking garage within 60 days.

Is that the parking garage that The View wraps around? 

[swake]

OKPop is also supposed to start this fall.

[AdamsHall]

Is that the parking garage that The View wraps around? 

Not sure, but that would make sense.  I was just noting what I read in the linked TW article.